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Dodge Avenger loss of power problems

93 of the 3,158 owner complaints about the Dodge Avenger describe sudden loss of power, most of them for the 2008 model year.

owner complaints
93
worst model year
2008
typical repair cost reported
$1,500
typical mileage
76,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Mar 19, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

Was driving on hwy when vehicle loss power, was able to quickly pull over. Turned vehicle off and restarted vehicle. Got back onto the hwy ,vehicle loss power again, this time it wouldn't turn over. Replaced fuel pump,replaced valve timing sensor, crank sensor, replaced battery, replaced ignition switch and antitheft oem {replaced 5X}, reprogrammed vehicle 3X's, bought new key to program to vehicle. After $1500.00 still not fixed, dealership has had the vehicle for well over a month. The dealership contacted the manufactured company, manufactured company said it was a faulty orc part. The manufacture company was suppose to send the dealership the new orc part and still hasn't done so, dealership says its on back order and there isn't no eta for the part to arrive.

Filed Sep 16, 2024 · Engine, Steering · 162,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving 50-55 MPH, the vehicle stalled and lost power steering functionality. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road by using physical strength. The vehicle was restarted after several attempts. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start later the same day. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V552000 (Engine); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000.

Filed Dec 30, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · AL

While driving for about 50miles, the electrical system failed, I lost power to the entire vehicle, steering was hard, brakes hard as well. as I pulled over, the car started back up. Next day car drove fine. Few days later the car cut off at red light in the middle of the intersection while other cars almost hitting me. Changed the fuel pump out because fuel pump would work at times. No one hurt, no incident report made. Car been intermittently cutting off after I think the car is running fine. No fault codes, no loose connections, no warning the car just cut off. I is becoming very dangerous and scary to drive but its the only vehicle i have and I have been spending money trying to figure this ghost out.

Filed Sep 24, 2020 · Airbags, Engine · 139,472 miles · CA

Passenger headrest airbag deployed while driving engine stalls while driving lost steering brake locks loss of power vehicle would not start

Filed Sep 24, 2020 · Airbags, Engine · 140,792 miles · CA

Deployed airbag loss of power engine shut off while driving brakes lock steering lock no start

Filed Sep 9, 2020 · Driver assistance, Engine · 170,000 miles · AL · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge avenger. The contact stated that while driving, the vehicle jerked and lost power. The engine and traction warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the crankshafts on three occasions. The contact stated that the battery cable box burned and was also replaced by the independent mechanic. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The contact stated that the vehicle did not seem fully repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

Filed May 23, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · GA

My vehicle lost power in the middle of operation , I also lost power steering and braking during this event.

Filed Oct 24, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 130,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 dodge avenger. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle downshifted to 10 MPH and lost power. Additionally, the vehicle jerked, skid, the steering wheel seized, and the traction control and throttle warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the brakes, sway bar, and battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to luther brookdale chrysler jeep dodge ram (8188 brooklyn blvd, brooklyn park, mn 55445, (612) 326-3931), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and a voice message was left, but they failed to respond. The contact stated that she was terrified to drive the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Sep 21, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · 98,000 miles · MO

The head gasket failed and was replaced despite protestations from the dealership. I learned the head gasket had a design flaw causing it to fail prematurely. Catalytic converter recalled, dealership advised it was unknown when it would repaired. Recall advised delay could damage engine. Finally repaired after complaint to dealership gm. Vehicle is making noises and losing power suddenly, then sudden increase of RPM while driving. Sudden loss of power could cause crash in traffic, same with sudden RPM increase. Fan wiring harness recalled, dealership advised of failure to fan when taken in for headgasket, nothing done. Multiple complaints made with dodge hq.

Filed Jul 24, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 100,000 miles · CO · fire

This car is totally unsafe worse vehicle ever. While driving my car has lost all power making me almost loose control of the car while my kids were in it as well and driving on. The highway. It will be fine then just everything shuts off. It has shut off then not start or I?ve changed the engine one time and after that it was ok and now a year later is doing g the same exact thing. Car won?t start for some odd reason then starts fine 30 min later I was trying g to start my car n it blew up in my face n blew the air filter off as well this car has been so bad I?m scared to even drive it I also have videos of it driving g fine then just shutting down completely this is the worse vehicle ever way to unsafe the electrical system starts going hay wire flashing the light off n and the car alarm will go off when no body has touched it or done anything to make it go off there's more just really upset can't think of them.

Related recalls

EngineReported November 6, 2013 · 521 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200, and model year 2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. Due to abrasive debris in the balance shaft bearings, these engines may have a loss of engine oil pressure, possibly resulting in an engine stall or engine failure.
Risk
If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine balance shaft module, free of charge. The recall began on December 24, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1‑800‑247‑9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N52.

Recall number 13V552000 · Recall details

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assemblyReported October 10, 2007 · 102,042 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain vehicles equipped with 2.4 liter engines, the engine coolant may be drawn into the left radiator cooling fan motor connector.
Risk
This can cause an electrical short circuit and result in an engine compartment fire.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the connector for contamination or damage, install a wiring harness overlay, and replace the fan motor free or charge. The recall began on november 19, 2007. Owners may contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.

Recall number 07V473000 · Recall details

Questions about the Dodge Avenger loss of power

Which Dodge Avenger years have sudden loss of power problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2008 (43 complaints), 2013 (16 complaints) and 2012 (12 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix sudden loss of power on the Dodge Avenger?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,500 (median of 5 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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